Help Raise Autism Awarness?

Question

i'm 13 and I have a sister with severe autism and mental retardation. She can't speak or do normal things on her own. Yet she is the prettiest most carefree person ever. She goes to a school for children with Autism and like disabilities. At school people call kids like her retards and idiots and they make cruel jokes about them. I try to explain to them about autsim and down syndrome and PDD and those types of disabilites but they still keep on. How can i really reach out to my school and to my communtity that it isn't a joke and Autism and is becoming an epidemic. And everything they say doesn't only hurt me but hurt others too?

Answer 1

Kids don't have their own sense of what's right and wrong. They just listen to others, and sometimes what they hear is very inappropriate. Maybe you could start with an organization that helps people with autism. (Google "autism organization" for a choice.) Find out if any of them would send a speaker to your school.

I do understand how what people say can hurt people and hurt those who care for them. Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Your on the right track and doing the right thing. In life it is often a choice of doing the easy thing or the right thing. For some reason doing the right thing is usually not the easiest choice. Kids your age can be very cruel.
Most of the kids saying things like you describe will grow up and understand the challenges your sister faces and regret they ever said such heartless things. I know this is true because I am one of those people.
Some people just never mature-forget about them.

When you tell them their behavior is wrong they may blow you off but trust me, inside they know you are right.

Sometimes spending a little time with a disabled child is all kids need to establish empathy, and when that occurs their heart softens and they will never be that cruel person again.

Perhaps you could do a paper on the subject and take a field trip to your sisters school. Discuss this with your teacher and the principal.

Your a good sister. I'm proud of you and I don't even know you!

Answer 3

Honey, Unfortunately no matter what kind of information you put out there to make others aware of autism and how people are affected by it and so forth.... there are always going to be the ones that are just cruel to the core and will never understand it... I have an autistic son and although i do get a lot of support from particular groups and organisations, there are some people out there that just really don't understand or care. All you can really do is get yourself involved in a siblings group or some sort of organisation that can help you with your feelings. I admire your respect and love for your sister, she is very lucky to have you . keep supporting her the way you are and know that you are a much better person than those that ridicule her... Keep your head high!!!

Answer 4

There are several organizations that may help guide you in your efforts to reach people. They may even have a speaker available in your area. They are:
*Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
*Autism Speaks
*National Autism Association

Go to these websites and find out what educational activities that they have. The first two will undoubtedly have representatives in your area unless you live far from any major city, but they still might have one.

I admire what you are doing. This is a basis for a career for you. You can also become a speaker for autism when you are trained.

Answer 5

We need to start teaching children when they are younger, about 8-10 years old. I work with mentally retarded students, physically handicapped, some have autism, we have students from a local school that are about 10 yrs. old who spend time with some of our students (students who are the same age). We have done this for about 8 years now. It helps these children to learn how to relate to our students. We give them a "buddy" to hang out with and do fun things with that we plan.

The thing is, it has to be started when they are younger, it's hard when they are 12-13, they have already made up their minds about a lot of things.

There might be a way to get some written information now since the government has realized autism is a problem. You might be able to find something online...free. You could share that with her school.

Your sister is very lucky to have you !

Answer 6

Sometimes you just cannot change other people's points of view.

I think education is they key. For your purposes, you might try listening to what a 12 year old boy says about autism by listening to this podcast:

"Special Featured Interview with Lewis Schofield"

http://www.irkedmagazine.com/irked_radio/irked_radio_0006/irked_radio_0006.htm

If your computer does not have speakers, you may wish to read the following article about the same boy, who was interviewed by autistic author Donna Williams::

http://www.irkedmagazine.com/index_issue_0001.htm

"Living with Asperger’s Syndrome Muses from a 10-year old boy genius by: Lewis Schofield"

Autism is not an epidemic by the way. It is just that with better testing methods, more autistics who previously went unnoticed are being discovered.

Answer 7

Hello...I have a 4 yr old daughter with severe autism (Rett Syndrome). I think the best thing you could do is do a talk to some classes about autism using your sister as "show and tell". Tell them of how difficult her life is and that it isn't her fault. I recently did this in front of 6th graders....it was amazing how they all approached my daughter afterwards and talked to her and held her hand! I'm sure you could get extra credit for it also. One more thing...does your sister have Rett Syndrome? Has she been tested for it?

Answer 8

Unfortunately, it is tough being around folks who do not understand disabilities. It is really difficult around youngsters who do not understand and are feeling awkward about their own place in this world. One of the organizations I like to use is Autism Speaks. There you can find videos and other information that may help you deal with how you are feeling and is a good start for getting involved in an organization. I like to use the videos as part of my curriculum in college classes I teach. Good luck!

Answer 9

My son's aunt and I were talking about school and our boys. She's claiming that her district wants to put her son in an integrated class (class with typical kids and special needs kids). She will not allow it because he doesn't "belong with those retards." She knows very well that my son is in special ed, and she still made the comments and continues to makes comments.

It would be wonderful if you raise awareness in your area, especially at your school. Please do it in a POSITIVE way.

It doesn't matter where you go or what you say, you will come across people, like the kids at your school, for the rest of your life.

My son's cousin's first word was "retard," and I'm sure he will continue to use it for the rest of his life.

Answer 10

I wish you had said what city you are in. Talk about it with everyone. let them know that you are looking for ways to get the word out. somebody will finally say "I know somebodywho can ______ . If the PGA tour comes thru your town see if they have a way to help charities. We just got on the San Antonio event and the really cool thing is that we get to keep 100%. They do the hard work. Hosting the event and paying the expenses. All we have to do is get the money.